Synonyms of grammar

grammar

noun

ˈgra-mər 

as in principles

general or basic truths on which other truths or theories can be based

student directors learning the grammar of filmmaking

Synonyms & Similar Words

• principles
• elements
• philosophy
• basis
• alphabet
• fundamentals
• basics
• foundation
• rudiments
• law
• rule
• essentials
• doctrine
• ABC(s)
• groundwork
• cornerstone
• keystone
• bedrock
• axiom
• dogma
• belief
• underpinning
• tenet
• theorem
• precept
• canon
• nitty-gritty
• standard
• faith

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• details
• trivia

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of grammar

What's difficult to do is nature because organic shapes have their own unique grammar. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026

Initially, videos were geared towards people looking to learn Spanish as a foreign language and understand grammar topics. — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

And so lyric arrives, unbridled by the laws of grammar, pressing its hooves to the measure of music. — Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026

A student who used Claude for a grammar check may look identical on paper to a student who outsourced the entire assignment. — Melissa Loble, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Video

The Serial Comma Explained

Love it or hate it, the serial comma arouses strong feelings. Emily Brewster is here to help you navigate them. Are the serial comma and the Oxford comma the same thing? What's the Harvard comma, and how many non-Harvard alumni use that term? The answers are in this video.

 

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TRANSCRIPT

Welcome to ask the editor. I'm Emily Brewster, an associate editor at Merriam-Webster.

We all know that commas separate items in a list. I love nouns, verbs, adjective, and adverbs. But that last comma is shrouded in controversy.

Is it necessary?

There are several names for the comma that separates the second to last item in a list from a final item that is introduced by and or or. It's most commonly called the serial comma. It's also called the Harvard comma and the Oxford comma because it is used by the publishers associated with those universities.

The serial comma is optional.

Publishers typically take a stand on whether or not to use it, and writers tend to feel strongly one way or the other. It is up to you, but be aware that not using the serial comma can result in some ambiguity.

There is the likely fictitious example of a book dedication:

I would like to thank my parents, Ayn Rand and God.

where without the comma it sounds like Ayn Rand and God are the ones who begot the author.

And then there is the real example from text about a documentary on the late Merle Haggard:

Among those interviewed, were his two-ex-wives, Kris Kristofferson and Robert Duvall.

In many cases though, no ambiguity arises:

The house has a big yard, small kitchen and few windows.

The recipe calls for sugar, butter, cream, salt and vanilla.

Like the serial comma? Use it, or not.

Newspapers have traditionally done without it as a way to save space. Dictionaries have also traditionally been concerned with space, but we at Merriam-Webster use the serial comma. No one calls it the Merriam-Webster comma, but if people started to we wouldn't object.

For more Ask the Editor videos, visit merriam-webster.com.